Symptoms of Stress
Sometimes you may not realize that you’re having symptoms of stress. Stress is defined as a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance. Common symptoms of stress are constant worrying, anxiety and headaches. Stress affects the mind and body in different ways but not everyone is affected by the symptoms of stress in the same way. Things that are enjoyable to one person may be stressful to another. Children, adolescents and adults can be affected by stress. Chronic stress is especially hard on you because it is constant or continuous. There is research that suggests 60 to 90 percent of health problems may come from stress.
Symptoms of stress that produce physical and psychological changes are the blood goes to more vital organs, the heart speeds up to supply more blood faster and the respiratory rate increases because more oxygen is needed. Blood pressure also rises. Other physical symptoms of stress are chest pain, lower back pain and neck or shoulder pain. Stomach problems, diarrhea, muscle spasms and insomnia can also be symptoms of stress.
The brain can be negatively affected by stress. Brain cells, brain structure and brain function can change due to severe stress. Stress can also affect the hypothalamus in the brain which will cause the stress hormone “cortisol” to increase in the bloodstream. Brain chemicals are affected and the chemical system can be damaged in the part of the brain that is responsible for emotions. Short term effects of cortisol are not harmful but if it’s continually present in the bloodstream then damage can occur.
Constant stress can cause problems with your heart muscles and valves. Arteries can be put under tension from a high heart rate and high blood pressure. If arteries are damaged the body will heal them but artery walls may thicken from scars. This can reduce the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart which can be dangerous. Chronic stress can make the immune system weaker. This can increase your risks of serious illnesses.
Changes in your behavior can also be another one of the symptoms of stress. Some behavioral symptoms are over-eating or drinking, loss of appetite, substance abuse, emotional turmoil and crying and losing interest in many things that you used to enjoy. Some people may start to smoke which can lead to health problems. Wrong choices can be easily and can put you in a dangerous situation such as driving recklessly. Everyone that is under to much stress needs to find what works best for them to decrease their stress levels.